Revamped, revitalized and ready for autumn 2004. That is the promise from developer Halladale (Brentwood) Ltd after it submitted its £20 million plans for the Chapel High Shopping Centre and Becket House site.

The application has been delivered to the council and the company has indicated that if planning permission is received by July, it could start work by the end of the year with the site possibly opening 12 months later.

Halladale Property Director, Ken Lindsey, said he believed the retitled Bay Tree Centre - including a refurbished shopping mall plus the 106 flats planned for Becket House - would boost the whole town centre and bring in new businesses.

He said: 'The attraction of new retailers, leisure operators and cafes to the centre will make Brentwood a better place to shop, visit and enjoy. The regeneration proposals will create a completely refurbished shopping centre in a safe and secure environment.'

The Town Centre Partnership, which has worked closely with Halladale and Brentwood Council on the scheme, has welcomed the submission. Chairman Michael Coates said: 'The planning application details a well designed, attractive retail and leisure environment which is full of potential.

'The Town Centre Partnership supported the plans and expects the whole community will welcome this exciting new development in the heart of our town.'

Council leader, Cllr Vicky Cook, said the plans still had to be discussed by the council, but she believed the proposals had the potential to transform the centre of the town. She said: 'We want a vibrant mix of shops and I believe that when the Bay Tree Centre comes on line it will encourage an awful lot of businesses, including small traders, into the town.'

Halladale (Brentwood) Ltd is a joint venture between Halladale Group Plc and the Bank of Scotland who took over the centre from AXA Sunlife in February last year.

Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, who has attacked Chapel High's Communist style architecture, welcomed the proposed changes and was pleased with the way Halladale had approached the project. He said: 'This is a real relief. I was beginning to wonder whether we were ever going to see it happen.

'This is absolutely the key to the future of Brentwood. It is far better than what we have got at the moment and they have been really creative in the way they have approached the limitations of the site.'

Published Friday, April 11, 2003

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